Holographic storage to be available this month?

The first-generation Tapestry 300r device will use 300GB holographic discs, currently priced at $180 per disc in volume quantities. Initial drive transfer speed will be 20MBps, with transfer rates and available storage rising to 80MBps/800GB with the 800r, and 120MBps/1.6TB with the 1600r. InPhase has given no guidance on when we might see these units, which is probably a good idea, given how long it has taken the company to ready the 300r.

The Tapestry 300r holographic storage system is impressive on a technological level, but whether that product will take hold in the market is another question altogether. At just under $18,000 per unit, the Tapestry 300r isn't exactly cheap, and a 20MBps data transfer rate, while not terrible, isn't going to drop any jaws.

InPhase claims the holographic media has a 50-year lifetime. The technology sounds pretty impressive but the price will have to go down significantly and the writing speed will have to go up to make it worthwhile.